Cleveland Browns 2010 Preview: Drama in AFC North Could Benefit Browns

The Cleveland Browns look to surprise many critics not only in the AFC North, but across the NFL in the 2010 NFL regular season.

"Void of talent."

"Still a few years away."

"Eric Mangini is on the hot seat."

These are only a few of the quotes that have been said by the Browns' critics across the Internet, but with all the harsh remarks, comes the element of surprise.

In 2007, the Browns used the element of surprise to shock the NFL Nation to finish 10-6, and just barely miss making the playoffs.

They were the Cinderella story of the 2007 season and the hottest up-and-coming team going into the 2008 season.

But the Browns hit the wall, and the past two seasons have been hard to watch while they continue their rebuilding, which has gone on consistently since 1999.

Now in 2010, the Browns look like a team that can function as a single unit, and that was evident in all three facets of the game throughout the 2010 NFL preseason.

Were there snags?

Of course there were, but that is what preseason play is designed for—to work out all the kinks before the games count for real.

Veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme silenced his critics to the tune of a 110 quarterback rating, the secondary seems more improved with the addition of talented rookies, and the running game is deeper than it has ever been since the days of Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner.

Browns Backers have optimism, but they have that same optimism every year, and that is what makes Browns fans so special, to be able to continue a positive mindset while going into each new season despite the drama and losses.

But 2010 brings some intrigue too.

Mainly because fellow AFC North rivals have gone through a whirlwind this past offseason.

First up is the Cincinnati Bengals, who had to swallow a $7 million hit when they cut receiver Antonio Bryant. They also brought on infamous receiver Terrell Owens, who may or may not bring down the entire franchise if things go sour on the football field and he doesn't get his touches.

It happened in Philadelphia with Owens and Donovan McNabb, so do not doubt that it could happen again.

Next is the Baltimore Ravens, who just placed superstar safety Ed Reed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and he will not be able to play in the first six games of the 2010 season. They have also been struck by the injury bug, and have taken hits at cornerback as well.

Then there are the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have had internal team issues with Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes, who got traded to the New York Jets.

Roethlisberger is still on board mainly due to the fact that the Steelers just recently gave him a huge $100 million contract, and he would be too expensive to just cut.

Steeler Nation is not a fan of the Super Bowl winning quarterback anymore, and various reports from media and fans themselves show that Pittsburgh would rather see Roethlisberger go away than play at Heinz Field. Again, this decision to keep him on is one of a financial decision by the Rooney's though.

So that brings us to the Browns, who have no drama unless you consider rookie Montario Hardesty going down for the season, and they are clean as a whistle for the most part and comparatively speaking against the other divisional teams.

With their first two games at Tampa and at home against Kansas City, the Browns are looking to make an early push to go 2-0 to start the new season and go into Baltimore in Week three undefeated.

Not far-fetched, and a Ravens team without Ed Reed and sans a few corners plays to the Browns' advantage as long as Delhomme can get the ball out to his receivers while avoiding the Ravens' pass rush.

Could the Browns go into Week four at 3-0?

Anything is possible in the NFL, and in Week four the Browns will face the Bengals at home.

A Week four match-up at Cleveland Browns Stadium with a 3-0 record facing a fellow Ohio team puts the advantage back toward Cleveland, since the fans would go crazy in that game.

In closing, the Browns will face the Steelers in Week six, which will be the first game that Roethlisberger will be able to play in after his suspension, and he could still have some rust on the arm from missing the first four weeks.

Again playing into the Browns' advantage.

You can see where this is going and perhaps losing against Atlanta in Week five the Browns can easily be 5-1 after the first six games of the season.

Is it possible?

Of course.

Will it happen?

Browns fans will have to wait and see, but the 2010 Browns have a good chance to be this year's Cinderella story once again if they can play hard and win.

Anything is possible on any given Sunday.

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(Also posted on Dawg Scooper: THE Cleveland Browns Blog)